Hong Kong Court Ruling Upholds Rights for Shen Yun

In January 2010, Hong Kong’s Immigration Department refused entry to six technical staff of a performing arts company. On Wednesday, the region’s High Court quashed that decision in a landmark ruling. Some scholars believe the ruling is a win for Hong Kong citizens, and the region’s judicial freedom.

The case involves the Director of the Hong Kong Immigration Department, and the Epoch Group. The local branch of the Epoch Times Newspaper had invited the New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts Company to Hong Kong in January last year. But as the company was preparing to leave for Hong Kong, it was told that six of its technical staff would not be issued visas. This forced the Epoch Group to cancel Shen Yun’s seven sell-out shows.

Many believed the visa refusal was a result of pressure from the Chinese Communist Party. The regime has been known to interfere with Shen Yun’s annual world tour. The classical Chinese dance and music company says its mission is to revive traditional Chinese arts and culture, aspects of which have been systematically destroyed by the Chinese communist regime. NTD is a sponsor of some of Shen Yun’s performances.

In a judicial review ruling on Wednesday, Judge Andrew Cheung overturned the Immigration Director’s decision, saying he had failed to take into account the value of cultural exchange and other relevant considerations.

Hong Kong scholars have applauded the High Court’s decision.

[Joseph Y.S. Cheng, Professor at City University of Hong Kong]:
“I feel this has an important significance in guarding the political and cultural rights of Hong Kong people, and to show Hong Kong’s judicial independence.”

[Fernando Cheung, Lecturer at Hong Kong Polytechnic University]:
“We know this was an obvious attempt by the Communist Party to suppress Shen Yun, ordering the Hong Kong government to prevent its entry. Now, with Hong Kong’s independent judiciary, the interference is proved to be wrong and illegal.”

After Wednesday’s ruling, the Epoch Group says it plans to invite Shen Yun back to Hong Kong as soon as possible.